Travel reviews by Mr E & Ms P from Spain
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
4
Excursions taken
0
Second to best on our top rated trips
Botswana and 1 other country between 23 May 2013 and 2 Jun 2013
Some camps turned out to be much better than others; might have to do with the size of them too, and of course, to their management team.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Maybe you should inform people of the cold weather in some of these camps at this time of the year. We did not bring warm enough clothes; some people even had ski masks, that in the early morning drives were nice to have.
About the luggage restrictions, we were appalled to see that we were the only ones complying with everything. We found bags with wheels (actually provided by travel agencies), people carrying 2 or more bags each, plus their handbags and photo equipment. I even heard of people travelling with hair drivers. Some had so much photographic equipment that they needed and extra car to bring it to their camp. So much that, while we were 6 people per jeep, they only had 3 per jeep. This last was, as always, in Chitabe.
Of course, no bag was ever weighted anywhere or even measured. I had such a rough time finding the appropriate bags for this trip that I felt really stupid being one of the few complying with the strict rules."
Feedback response
We really appreciate this feedback and have adjusted our advice about the potential for cooler weather and packing accordingly for June.
The charter companies have always stressed to Expert Africa the importance of the luggage restrictions they impose; in part because of the limited space on the smaller aircraft, but even more importantly, for passenger safety. Weight plays an integral part of the transfer process and it is vital the correct weights are maintained on the aircraft for the safety of all passengers. The charter company assured us that all bags are weighed. Although these travellers were not aware of it at the time, their bags (and indeed all bags) are weighed at 'check-in' - both at Kasane and Maun Airports.
Even when it appears that travellers 'get away with it', when we raised this question with the charter company, we were reassured by them that they don't. They tell us that where it appears a bag does not confirm to the luggage specifications, they follow up on this and penalties are levied in the form of payment for an extra seat on all the flying legs or purchase of a soft bag to repack their belongings in.
We therefore advise our travellers of the regulations for luggage weight and size, because we want to help our travellers avoid similar situations, which could potentially see them having to pay hefty amounts for an extra seat or even a private charter.
Arranged By Megan Green
Avani Victoria Falls
"Great helicopter ride"
Little Vumbura
"The best guide of them all: Madala Key"
Very efficient, friendly and helpful management and staff.
The food was quite nice and the rooms were the most comfortable we have had all around, and the most spacious. They were absolutely nice when we arrived the first day, after a long flight and no lunch, to arrange a nice meal just for the two of us, so we did not have to wait 2 hours until tea time.
Our guide was the best we have had in our entire trip: MADALA KEY. He made our stay unforgettable."
Chitabe Camp
"Best Game Drives"
The food was horrible; too spicy and always far from European or American taste. And the coffee was not filtered but just the soluble stuff; terrible as well.
It was extremely cold at night and in the morning drives; I still do not understand why we could not leave a little later after the sun had come out; it is not that the schedules were that strictly kept. We were on vacation and the time schedule was insane. You cannot finish serving me dinner until past 10pm and expect me to be up at 5:30 next morning. Meal times were not kept. These opinions were shared by most of the people we met with there.
As it happened when we arrived in Little Vumbura, we skipped lunch that day and got to the camp at 1:30 (breakfast had been at 7:00 and usually consisted of just toasted bread) and although we were asked and told them we had not had any lunch, they said that tea would be at 3:30 and so we were given no other option but to wait. I found that quite unwelcoming. The tent was considerably smaller that little Vumbura and the amenities were not as good (bath robe, slippers...).
The laundry service was unacceptable: clothes came back stained and unpressed. And one of my blouses got misplaced and had to ask for it many times before it came back completely wrinkled. The two other camps laundry service was first class compared to this one."
Kwetsani Camp
"Another Great Guide: MT"
Management was warm, efficient and always accessible.
Rooms were great. Service and hospitality fantastic.
Game drives and boat drives great.
Laundry was first class.
Amenities in the room were much better that in Chitabe."
With Max having trouble walking around the grounds, we were not offer a ride from the lobby to our room on the day we arrived. Considering the trip from Madrid to Zambezi Sun took over 24 hours, we would have appreciated that extra help. Again, the front desk people were not very helpful in trying to help us move around in their golf cart; we had to "befriend" one of the cart drivers and bypass management.
Check in and check out processes were painfully slow. Breakfast buffet service was not very "visible"; it would take forever to find someone with a coffee jug.
However, the location is great; you could easily walk (or be driven in a golf cart) to the entrance of the Vic Falls Park. We heard from people who went to Zimbabwe had to pay for entering the park every time, and we did not. We also could take advantage of the other hotel in the property and got dinner there one night, experiencing the different ambiance and extraordinary view of the Falls from afar.
The helicopter ride is a must to recommend; exciting, well organized. The only thing to complain about it is that the video that they tried to sell to you after the ride is quite expensive ($140), specially when you think that it was not taped during your flight except for the camera inside the cabin..."